Inconsistent Shoe Sizing

kivah · ‎03-11-2010

I was just checking out Clarks Shoes on QVC.com and other sites and reading reviews. Most of the complaints were about inconsistent shoe sizing. So I googled this problem - and YES - the last and width have changed during the last few years when more shoes began to be ordered on-line. The manufacturers realized that most people returned shoes for being too tight - so they made them larger. When people would receive shoes too large, they would put inserts or orthotics - or wear heavy socks and not return them. When Clarks were manufactured in England (a long while ago) - they had a standard size.

Now, shoes are mostly manufactured in Asia --- where the sizing is different.

I have ordered many pairs of Clarks, Rykas, etc. from QVC in the past. Can't do that anymore. I also noticed that they're using cheaper materials to make the shoes..They think no one is noticing.

WOW!!!!

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

I think they're making shoes wider to increase the range that can wear them. They make a medium to fit a B width through a wide. This results in the shoe fitting nobody really well.

I've found they absolutely most inconsistent in sizing to be Ryka. I won't order them anymore. I've got them too wide, too narrow, too long and too short. You'd think there would be some sort of company standard but there's not.

Yes, I've had to put inserts in shoes to make them fit more snugly. Just did it on a new pair of Alegrias.

@kivah Your post is right on!

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

shoekitty · ‎03-10-2010

I agree about shoe sizing. What is discouraging is the inconsistent sizing within one brand. But this problem is wide spread. I found this out in my search for the ultimate comfy sandal this spring and early summer. I purchased and sent n

back many pairs for being to wide or too long. I am a straight 9, and have been for 10 years. Never varied. I am medium width. I am not a small person either. Many of the high end euro shoes are now coming in sizes like 8/8 1/2. And so on.... If you are a straight up 8 or a 9 including the 1/2 does not work. For some reason they do not fit like the whole sizes either. I would size down to 8-8 1/2 because 9-9 1/2. Was way too large...and they would be too snug.

I don't see what's having clothes made overseas has to do with bad sizing as usually the designer formats their own sizing. In other words the factory has to go by the designers specifications. But I do think designers off size to take in those with different body shapes...but shoes?... They seem so simple to me, you cut the shoe according to a format. But, I guess not. Because whether it is clothing or shoes, everything is off.

all this may be because many designers forgo inspections. It is cheaper. They send an inspector to check a few things every few months, if that.

“sometimes you have to bite your upper lip and put sunglasses on”….Bob Dylan

TY · ‎03-10-2010

The Clarks Cloudstepper shoes with the Sillian footbed and non leather uppers haven't gotten very good reviews as they tend to be too long or the heel won't stay on the foot of some of those flats. The Sillian Rest was a showstopper in Canada and didn't get good reviews. Sears Canada also carried this shoe so I tried it on in store. The size 8 was ill fitting.

I have two pairs of Clarks Helio Float sandals, both in a size 7.5W. One pair I bought in a Clarks outlet store and the other was bought online. They both fit a bit differently as the back strap on the brown pair is looser than the black pair.

I bought a pair of Clarks Caslynn Dylan sandals last week at a bricks and mortar store and each color sandal fit differently: the black leather was too thick and stiff, the tan leather the left shoe was too tight, the grenadine orange red sandal fit me just right.

I find that many Clarks shoes are too loose in the heel and too tight in the forefoot in size 8 medium.

Stevie Nix · ‎03-09-2010

I totally agree with everything said here. I stopped buying Ryka from QVC years ago. I bought a few pair when they were first on - long ago. Then within a year of those first purchases the Rykas started to get shorter. At first I thought it was a fluke, but after ordering and returning several pairs, I gave up.

Same with Clarks. I won't buy them anywhere - from Q or in retail. They used to be my favorite shoe line. Now they are very cheaply made with man-made materials. Very little leather being offered.

I still have old Clark's that are in good shape and wearable.

About 2 months ago I went into a Clark's retail store to see what they had. Nothing appealed to me at all. One pair I attempted to try on wouldn't even go on my foot. Another pair (Cloud Steppers) had a rough seam running down the side of the shoe.

Very disappointing. Used to be a great brand.

luv-the-Q · ‎05-04-2015

Yep, I agree. Clarks shoes are the most inconsistent for me. I never had a problem until the last couple of years.

kivah · ‎03-11-2010

@TY wrote:
The Clarks Cloudstepper shoes with the Sillian footbed and non leather uppers haven't gotten very good reviews as they tend to be too long or the heel won't stay on the foot of some of those flats. The Sillian Rest was a showstopper in Canada and didn't get good reviews. Sears Canada also carried this shoe so I tried it on in store. The size 8 was ill fitting.

I have two pairs of Clarks Helio Float sandals, both in a size 7.5W. One pair I bought in a Clarks outlet store and the other was bought online. They both fit a bit differently as the back strap on the brown pair is looser than the black pair.

I bought a pair of Clarks Caslynn Dylan sandals last week at a bricks and mortar store and each color sandal fit differently: the black leather was too thick and stiff, the tan leather the left shoe was too tight, the grenadine orange red sandal fit me just right.

I find that many Clarks shoes are too loose in the heel and too tight in the forefoot in size 8 medium.

@TY

I would buy 5 pairs of Clarks and Rykas now --- but I don't trust the sizing.

jonbon · ‎03-09-2010

@Stevie Nix wrote:
I totally agree with everything said here. I stopped buying Ryka from QVC years ago. I bought a few pair when they were first on - long ago. Then within a year of those first purchases the Rykas started to get shorter. At first I thought it was a fluke, but after ordering and returning several pairs, I gave up.

Same with Clarks. I won't buy them anywhere - from Q or in retail. They used to be my favorite shoe line. Now they are very cheaply made with man-made materials. Very little leather being offered.

I still have old Clark's that are in good shape and wearable.

About 2 months ago I went into a Clark's retail store to see what they had. Nothing appealed to me at all. One pair I attempted to try on wouldn't even go on my foot. Another pair (Cloud Steppers) had a rough seam running down the side of the shoe.

Very disappointing. Used to be a great brand.

While I will agree that shoe sizing is all over the place in many brands, including Clarks, Ryka, and Skechers, I don't think it's true that very little leather is being offered by Clarks. Yes, they offer more shoes with man made materials than they did in the past (including fabric uppers for summer), but most of what I see is still leather (of varying degrees of quality).

Hayfield · ‎03-10-2010

I too agree about the sizing, I used to be able to order a 7 and it fit perfectly but within the last couple of years I wear anything from a 7 to an 8 1/2 so I stopped buying them on-line. I have passed up some shoes that I really liked but got tired of sending them back. I did make out once though, there were a pair of Clarks that I loved but were $120 on the Q but got a pair at the Clarks outlet for only $50. I don't go shopping that often but the reality is I'm saving a lot of money!!!

Shopper Mania · ‎10-14-2015

I just ordered a pair of the Clark's snake loafers in a 5 1/2. I'm ALWAYS a 5 1/2. I had to return them for a 6. I wouldn't have bothered, but I really liked the shoe. Sizing mistakes result in costly shipping for the customer, and that turns me off. I think I'll stay away from ordering shoes in the future.